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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |
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POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING |
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Position Number: 50595620 |
Description Activated On: 9/9/2026 9:06:40 AM |
Position Purpose: Describe the primary purpose of this position and how it contributes to the organization’s objectives. Example: Provides clerical and office support within the Division to ensure its operations are conducted efficiently and effectively. This position serves as an Assistant Dispatch Center Manager located in the Mid Atlantic Interagency Dispatch Center (MACC). The purpose of the work is to provide effective dispatching services for all agencies who are participants in the MACC. Assists the Center Manager in the oversight and administration of all dispatch center operations and administrative programs and carries out some specific duties within the Pennsylvania DCNR Wildland Fire Program. In the absence of the Center Manager, serves as lead worker and the Acting Center Manager. The area involved encompasses a combination of federal, state, tribal, and private lands within the dispatch center's area of influence and supports multiple agencies and organizations through an interagency concept. The MACC is responsible primarily for wildland fire preparedness and suppression support activities and may support all-risk incidents as needed or directed. |
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Description of Duties: Describe in detail the duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Descriptions should include the major end result of the task. Example: Types correspondence, reports, and other various documents from handwritten drafts for review and signature of the supervisor. Coordinates mobilization and demobilization activities related to wildland fire suppression. Evaluates and coordinates operations and assists in plan development. Performs various technical duties that involve differing and unrelated processes and methods, shifting frequently from one assignment to other, substantially different tasks. Evaluates, plans, and coordinates wildland fire and other daily operational situations to ensure adequate quantities of resources and machinery are dispatched to incidents. Implements and maintains mobilization plans, emergency disaster plans, dispatch policies, procedures, and administrative policies. Schedules and directs the use of helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. Coordinates air transportation of personnel, supplies, and equipment. Monitors use of aircraft under unit control as well as other known aircraft use over unit lands. Assists in developing specific action plans, methods, and procedures for carrying out plans; resolving problems and conflicts as they arise; coordinating work with other staff members; and administrative functions of the center related to staffing, scheduling, and budget. Projects that may involve a new direction in operating practices or a significant break with long standing practice are discussed with the supervisor during occasional staff meetings or conferences. Initiates the dispatch of personnel, equipment and aircraft to reported wildland fire(s), law enforcement and other all-hazard situations occurring within a multijurisdictional environment with overlapping boundaries and responsibilities. The responsibilities are made more complex by the spontaneous nature of the emergency incidents that require the need to reschedule individual shifts and expand with additional personnel in a timely manner to meet the needs of the emergency situation(s). Establishes and maintains complex interrelationships with the Federal, state, and local fire and law enforcement agencies, each have complex and differing management and coordination needs in a multijurisdictional wildland urban interface/intermix setting. Coordinates with several cooperators, frequently with overlapping jurisdictions and sensitive local issues. Determination of jurisdiction, amount and nature of resources requiring dispatch, and follow-up action, are frequently complicated by vague or incomplete reporting of incidents or ordering resources. Participates in the planning process and maintaining up-to-date information on federal, state, and local resources. Safe and efficient operations demand that priorities are set to assure prompt action on incidents that involve human health and safety over those involving resource damage. Communicates with Line Officers, Forest and District Staff Officers, Law Enforcement Officers, Zone Special Agents, Regional Office Fire Management Staff, personnel from adjoining National Forests, other federal agencies, Forest Dispatchers, Zone Dispatchers, District employees, State and local fire and law enforcement agencies, state and local disaster officers, forecasters, forest visitors, residents, and various private sector vendors and contractors. Contacts must be made in a professional and controlled manner that reflects favorably on the agency and the Communications Center. Work is performed in an office setting. Radios are on continuously and many frequencies must be monitored simultaneously along with numerous phones. This results in a high noise level with a requirement for a high level of concentration while performing other project work. This creates a potentially hectic and stressful work environment. During emergencies, shifts may be long, unscheduled, and/or irregular for extended periods of time under potentially stressful conditions. Provides updates, intelligence support, coordination, and information sharing specific to the Pennsylvania DCNR wildland fire program as directed by supervisor. In consultation with the supervisor and the Center Manager, develops policies and procedures related to staffing, work schedules, personnel and budget within the dispatch center. Serve as the liaison between PEMA and the USFS for the administration of the agreement for the facility use of workspace at PEMA headquarters. Ensures that all invoices and budgetary obligations of DCNR under this agreement are fulfilled in a timely manner. Maintains situational awareness of the facility costs and provides periodic updates to supervisor and Center Manager when needed or requested. Serves as the Mid-Atlantic Forest Fire Protection Compact representative on the Eastern Area Dispatch Working Team. Attends, participates, and speaks at trainings, meetings, and travels as needed and necessary. Travel may be within Pennsylvania, regionally or nationally. Obtains and maintains National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) qualifications in dispatch per supervisory direction. Other duties as assigned. |
Decision Making: Describe the types of decisions made by the incumbent of this position and the types of decisions referred to others. Identify the problems or issues that can be resolved at the level of this position, versus those that must be referred to the supervisor. Example: In response to a customer inquiry, this work involves researching the status of an activity and preparing a formal response for the supervisor’s signature. Commits personnel, equipment, cooperators, and aircraft to meet incident needs to all Federal and state agencies within the MACC area. Acts for the Center Manager in wildland fire(s), law enforcement, and all hazard emergency response. The work under emergency conditions can only be reviewed after the fact. Selects, interprets and applies guidelines, policies, and procedures frequently using initiative, judgment, creativity in combination with skill, knowledge and experience, and resourcefulness in solving unforeseen problems and resolving conflicts. |
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Requirements Profile: Identify any specific experience or requirements, such as a licensure, registration, or certification, which may be necessary to perform the functions of the position. Position-specific requirements should be consistent with a Special Requirement or other criteria identified in the classification specification covering this position. Example: Experience using Java; Professional Engineer License Experience: Experience using computers, phones, radios, and equipment typical in a modern office environment. Licenses, registrations, or certifications: 1. N/A 2. N/A 3. N/A 4. N/A 5. N/A 6. N/A |
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Essential Functions: Provide a list of essential functions for this position. Example: Transports boxes weighing up to 60 pounds.
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